Strap tension tool

ABSTRACT

A tension tool for tightening plastic strap around a package including a base plate with two bearing walls thereon carrying an integral hand grip, a drum journalled in the bearing walls with a toothed portion disposed therebetween and a slotted portion for engaging one end of the strap, a gripping dog on a bearing wall to grip an end of the strap, an operating handle journalled on the drum and carrying a drive pawl engaging the toothed portion of the drum, a holding pawl on the bearing walls engaging the toothed portion of the drum to prevent retrograde motion, a release bar for the holding pawl on the operating handle and a release lever for the drive pawl on the operating handle engageable with an abutment on the base plate, and a knife mounted on the bearing walls to cut a strap.

Banjeglav Jan. 7, 1975 STRAP TENSION TOOL [75] Inventor: George Milan Banjeglav, Dolton, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Interlake, Inc., Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Sept. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 399,398

[52] US. Cl. 140/123.6, 140/932 [51] Int. Cl B2li' 9/00 [58] Field of Search 140/932, 93, 93.4, 123.5, 140/1236; 254/51 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,048,374 7/1936 Childress 254/51 2,146,104 2/1939 Adamson t 254/51 2,156,062 4/1939 Porter 254/51 3,114,399 12/1963 Hamilton et al...... 140/932 3,129,728 4/1964 Sharko 140/123.6

Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney, Agent, or FirmPrangley, Dithman, Vogel, Sandler & Stotland A tension tool for tightening plastic strap around a package including a base plate with two bearing walls thereon carrying an integral hand grip, a drum journalled in the bearing walls with a toothed portion disposed therebetween and a slotted portion for engaging one end of the strap, a gripping dog on a bearing wall to grip an end of the strap, an operating handle journalled on the drum and carrying a drive pawl engaging the toothed portion of the drum, a holding pawl on the bearing walls engaging the toothed portion of the drum to prevent retrograde motion, a release bar for the holding pawl on the operating handle and a release lever for the drive pawl on the operating handle engageable with an abutment on the base plate, and a knife mounted on the bearing walls to cut a strap.

ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures $75 'f/48 I L I32 4. I92 [0/ I05 03 [40 STRAP TENSION TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a strap tension tool for tightening a strap around a package, and particularly such a tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package.

Tools have been provided heretofore for tightening straps around packages, examplars thereof being disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,833,168 granted to C. M. MacChesney et al. on Nov. 24, 1931 and US. Pat. No. 2,048,374 granted to W. C. Childress on July 21, 1936. Both of these patents were directed to devices for stretching metal strap around packages, the devices being complicated and including a large number of operating parts with a consequent difficulty in manufacture and maintenance.

Other strap tightening tools included structure for automatically cutting the strap after securing the ends thereof by a manipulation of the strap tension tool. Examplars of such patents are US. Pat. No. 2,882,934 granted to J. M. Gerrard on Apr. 21, 1959 and US. Pat. No. 2,967,550 granted to J. Rosenberger, et al. on Jan. 10, 1961. These prior tools incorporating strap cutting devices were also complicated in construction and operation and therefore difficult to manufacture and maintain in suitable operating condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a strap tension tool for plastic strap which is simple and economical in construction and manufacture, and which is easy to maintain in good working order.

This is accomplished in the present invention, and it is an object of the present invention to accomplish these desired results, by providing a tool including a frame having a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls carrying extensions providing a hand grip, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in the bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between the bearing walls and a strap engaging portion with a slot therein extending outwardly from one of the bearing walls, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on the one bearing wall adjacent to the drum for holding one end of the strap against the base plate, an operating handle with openings in bearing flanges thereon receiving the drum for mounting the operating handle, a drive pawl on the operating handle continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of the drum, and a holding pawl between the bearing walls and continually urged into engagement with the drum to prevent retrograde rotation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strap tension tool of the type set forth, wherein a release bar is mounted on the operating handle and is engageable with the holding pawl when the operating handle is moved to the position nearest the base plate in a straptightening direction, thus automatically to release the drum from the holding pawl to facilitate removal of the strap wound thereon.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tension tool of the type set forth, wherein a release lever is provided for the drive pawl integral therewith and extending along the top of the operating handle and spaced a short distance therefrom for actuation by the hand of the user operating the operating handle,

and an abutment is provided on the base plate in position to engage the release lever when the operating handle is moved to the position nearest the base plate in a strap-tightening direction, thus automatically to release the drum from contact with the drive pawl.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide a strap tension tool of the type set forth incorporating therein both atr lease bar for the holding pawl and a release lever for the drive pawl, whereby movement of the operating handle to the position nearest the base plate in a strap tightening direction causes the release bar to engage the holding pawl and causes the release lever to engage the abutment, thus to release the drum from contact with both the holding pawl and the drive pawl to permit free retrograde rotation of the drum to facilitate removal of the strap wound thereon.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a strap tension tool of the type set forth having a knife pivotally mounted on the bearing walls with a cutting edge overlying a strap extending along the base plate, the knife being movable between a strap-tightening position and a strap-cutting position, and means biasing the knife to the strap-tightening position thereof, and an actuating flange on the knife engageable with the operating handle as the operating handle is moved toward the position nearest the base plate in a straptightening direction, thus automatically to move the knife to the strap-cutting position thereof to cut the strap on the base plate.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to incorporate in a strap tension tool in addition to the knife and its associated structure, a release bar for the holding pawl and a release lever for the drive pawl with an associated abutment on the base plate, whereby movement of the operating handle to the position nearest the base plate in a straptightening direction causes the release bar to engage the holding pawl to move it out of contact with the drum and thereafter to engage the actuating flange to move the knife to the strap-cutting position thereof and thereafter to bring the release lever into contact with the abutment, thus automatically to cut the strap end to free the drum for retrograde rotation to facilitate removal of strap wound thereon.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts of the strap tension tool, whereby the above outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further features and advantages thereof will best be understood with reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a strap tension tool made in accordance with and embodying the features of the present invention, the operating handle of the tool being shown in its position closest to the hand grip; FIG. 2 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left thereof;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial diagrammatic view illustrating the tool in operative position on an associated package with a strap in position after tightening, the operating handle in the full line position being about to contact the knife actuating flange;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. showing the parts after cutting of the strap and release of the tightening drum;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view with certain parts broken away with the parts shown in the position of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 7 but with the parts illustrated in the position of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a strap tension tool 100 made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The strap tension tool 100 comprises a frame generally designated by the numeral 101 and including a base plate 102 and two generally parallel bearing walls 110 and 111. The base plate 102 has a lower surface 103 adapted to rest upon a package about which a strap is being placed (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and an upper surface 105 along which a reach of strap is adapted to be placed during tensioning. The left hand end of the base plate 102 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 is upturned, while the left band edge as viewed in FIG. 4 is beveled as at 106 and the upturned end 104 is beveled as at 107, see FIG. 2.

The bearing walls 110 and 111 are secured integrally to the base plate 102 as by welding and extend upwardly therefrom and essentially parallel to each other, the bearing walls 110 and 111 carrying rearward extensions 112 and 113, respectively, which are joined at the outer ends thereof along the upper edges by a wall 114 to provide a hand grip generally designated by the numeral 115, the hand grip 115 extending to the right beyond the base plate 102 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4. There further is provided on the bearing wall 110 a strap guide 1 16, the function of which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The forward or left hand ends of the bearing walls 110 and 111 are viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4 carry a knife mount generally designated by the numeral 120 and including a transverse flange 102 on the bearing wall 110 and a transverse flange 123 on the bearing wall 111. The transverse flange 122 has a slot 125 therein providing rearward fingers 128 and 129 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 also), while the transverse flange 123 has a slot 124 therein provided forward fingers 126 and 127. The outer ends of the fingers 126 and 128 are joined by an end flange 131, and the outer ends of the fingers 127 and 129 are joined by an end flange 132.

As can be best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, a gripping dog 140 is shiftably mounted upon the bearing wall 110 adjacent to the strap guide 1 16 and overlying a portion of the base plate 102. The gripping dog 140 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a plurality of serrations or teeth 141 disposed around the circumference thereof. An eccentric shaft 142 passes through an opening in the gripping dog 140, which opening is displaced from the center of the gripping dog 140, the shaft 142 alsopassing through aligned openings in the bearing walls 110 and 111. Adjacent to each end of the shaft 142 are annular grooves that receive retaining washers 144 to mount the shaft 142 carrying the gripping dog 140 upon the bearing walls 110 and 111. A release lever 145 is provided for the gripping dog 140, the release lever 145 including a side flange for an opening through which extends the shaft 142 and a contact flange 147 overlying a portion of the gripping dog and being in position to be readily engaged by a user. A pin 148 interconnects the side flange 146 and the gripping dog 140, so that movement of the release lever 145 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7 pivots the gripping dog 140 about the axis of the shaft 142 to move the gripping dog 140 away from the upper surface of the base plate 102. A spring 149 acts between the bearing wall and the release lever 145 continually to urge the release lever 145 and the gripping dog 140 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7, thus to urge the gripping dog 140 downwardly into gripping engagement toward the base plate 102. More specifically, a bolt is provided having a reduced shank 137 extending through an opening in the bearing wall 110 and held thereon by a nut 139, the spring 149 being wrapped about the bolt 135 and held thereon by a head 138.

Journalled in horizontal aligned openings in the bearing walls 110 and 111 is a rotatable drum 150 that is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a smooth surfaced portion 151 and a toothed portion 155. The toothed portion 155 extends between the inner surfaces of the bearing walls 110 and 111 and in addition extends through the bearing wall 11 l but terminates at a point spaced from the inner surface of the bearing wall 110. The smooth portion 151 extends through and outwardly with respect to the adjacent bearing wall 110 and overlies the base plate 102 in a position spaced from but in alignment with the gripping dog (see FIGS. 3 and 8). The smooth portion 151 is provided with a slot 152 extending therethrough along a diameter thereof for receiving the end of a plastic strap that is to be tightened about an associated package. The drum is further provided with an annular groove therein adjacent to the outer surface of the retaining wall 110, the groove receiving a retaining washer 159 that holds the drum 150 and prevents longitudinal movement thereof with respect to the retaining wall 111.

In order to tighten a strap using the tool 100, an operating handle 160 has been provided that includes an outer tapered upper plate 161 provided with reinforcing side flanges 162 along the edges thereof terminating in enlarged bearing flanges 163. The side flanges 162 fit within the bearing walls 110 and 111 and the opening in one of the bearing flanges 163 receives the toothed portion of the drum 150 therethrough, while the other bearing flange 163 has an opening just large enough to receive the smooth portion 151 therethrough, but not the toothed portion 155, thereby to journal the operating handle thereon and with respect to the bearing walls 110 and 111, and also to retain in cooperation with the washer 159 the drum 150 in operating position with respect to the bearing walls 110 and 111. The outer end of the operating handle 160 carries an enlarged ball 165 adapted to be gripped by the hand of a user, and the other end of the operating handle 160 carries generally centrally thereof an opening 166 to be described further hereinafter. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 it will be seen that there also is provided interconnecting the bearing flanges 163 a release bar 167, the function and operation of which will be described more fully hereinafter.

Pivotally mounted upon the operating handle 160 is a drive pawl 170 including a hub 171 that receives therethrough a pin 172 fixedly mounted in' the bearing flanges 163 and serving pivotally to mount the drive pawl 170 upon the handle 160. The drive pawl 170 also includes a nose 175 engageable between and with teeth on the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150 and a re lease lever 176 integral with the hub 171 but extending through the opening 166 in the handle 160 and then along the handle 160 generally parallel thereto but spaced therefrom in the drive position thereof. A spring 173 is provided on the pin 172 and acts between the operating handle 160 and the drive pawl 170 continually to urge the nose 175 into engagement with the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150. The release lever 176 can be moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, thereby to move the nose 175 of the drive pawl 170 out of engagement with the drum 150, thereby to free the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150 from the drive pawl 170.

There further is mounted upon the bearing walls 110 and 111 a holding pawl 180, see particularly FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings. More specifically, a pin 182 is fixedly mounted in the bearing walls 110 and 111 and pivotally mounts thereon the holding pawl 180 between the bearing walls 110 and 111. The pawl 180 includes a nose 181 that is continually urged by a spring 183 into engagement with the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150, the spring 183 acting between the bearing walls 110 and 111 and the holding pawl 180. As can be best seen in FIG. 8, the release bar 167 on the operating handle 160 is operative to engage and to move the holding pawl 180 out of contact with the rotatable drum 150 when the parts are in the position illustrated in FIG. 8.

Mounted on the forward portions of the bearing walls 110 and 111 and in the knife mount 120 is a pivotal knife 190, the knife 190 including a blade 191 carrying on the lower edge thereof a cutting edge 192. The blade 191 is disposed between the transverse flanges 122 and 123 and is pivotally mounted upon the flange 123 by means of a bolt 197. A spring 196 holds the knife 190 in the position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, i.e., with the cutting edge 192 disposed upwardly so as to permit a strap to be placed in the slots 124 and 125 during tensioning. In order to actuate the knife 190, the blade 191 carries an actuating flange 194 having a cam surface 195 in position to be engaged by the operating handle 160 when the parts are put in the positions illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, such placement of the parts serving to drive the cutting edge 192 downwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the operation of the strap tension tool 100 will be described in detail. The tool 100 is placed upon the upper surface of a package 50 about which a plastic strap 60 is to be tightened. One end 61 of the plastic strap 60 is then placed so that it extends beyond the upturned end 104 of the base plate 102 and then a reach 62 of the strap 60 is passed along the upper surface 105 of the base plate 102 and under the gripping dog 140, the user manually depressing the release lever 145 to lift the gripping dog 140 away from the base plate 102, after which the strap reach 62 can be placed therebelow; subsequently the release lever 145 is released to permit the spring 149 to urge the gripping dog 140 against the strap reach 62 to hold the same in cooperation with the plate 102. The gripping dog thus serves firmly to hold the strap end 62 in the position illustrated in FIG. 5. A reach of strap 63 is then passed around the bundle and upwardly to a reach 64 which overlies the strap end 61. The parts are placed in the dashed line position of FIG. 5 so that the knife 190 is in the position illustrated, thus to permit the strap reach 64 to pass through the slots 124 and 125 and then to be passed around the smooth portion of the drum and the free end 65 of the strap inserted in the slot 152 in the drum 150.

With the plastic strap 60 thus positioned about the package 50 and with respect to the tool 100, tightening of the plastic strap 60 can be accomplished. More specifically, the user grasps the ball on the outer end of the handle 160 and reciprocates the handle 160 between the dashed line position and the full line position in FIG. 5. Such reciprocation of the handle 160 effects rotation of the drum 150 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5. Referring also to FIG. 7, it will be seen that such rotation is caused by the engagement of the nose of the drive pawl 170 with the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150 as the handle 160 is moved from the dashed line position of FIG. 5 to the full line position thereof; consequently, the drum 150 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and serves to wind a portion of the strap 60 on the smooth portion 151. During this tightening movement of the drum 150, the holding pawl ratchets with respect to the toothed portion 155, the nose 181 being moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 7 against the action of the spring 183 successively from tooth to tooth. When the handle 160 reaches the full line position in FIG. 5, the operator then moves the handle 160 toward the dashed line position in FIG. 5. During such movement of the handle 160, the holding pawl 180 engages the toothed portion 155 and prevents retrograde rotation thereof. Successive movements of the handle 160 between the positions illustrated in FIG. 5 will therefore serve to tighten and tension the strap 60 about the package 50, it being appreciated that the strap-tightening motion of the handle 160 being in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5.

After the strap 60 has been brought to the desired tension about the package 50, a seal 70 is made between the strap end 61 and the reach 64 such as by heating the plastic in the strap 60 to cause fusion thereof. It will be appreciated that forms of seals, including mechanical seals, may be utilized instead of the heat seal 70 illustrated.

It now is desired to remove the tool 100 from the package 50 and to disengage the tool from the strap 60 and also to cut the strap adjacent to the seal 70. To accomplish these desired results automatically, the user moves the handle 160 from the full line position illustrated in FIG. 5 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. Such movement of the handle 160 first causes the release bar 167 to engage the holding pawl 180 and move it against the action of its spring 183 out of contact with the teeth on the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150.

Continued movement of the handle 160 in a straptightening direction thereafter causes the handle 160 to engage the cam surface on the actuating flange 194 of the knife 190, this serving to drive the cutting edge 192 through the reach 64 of the tape 60, thus to sever the same. In the cutting action of the knife 190, the cutting edge 192 cooperates with the forward finger 127 which serves to aid in providing the necessary cutting action with respect to the tape reach 64.

The final increment of movement of the operating handle 160 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, and in a strap-tightening direction, causes the release lever 176 to engage an abutment provided by the transverse flange 123, this engagement moving the release lever 176 toward the operating handle 160 and to the drum release position illustrated in FIG. 6. With the parts in this position, the nose 175 of the drive pawl 170 is out of engagement with the teeth on the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150. With both the drive pawl 170 and the holding pawl 180 disengaged from the toothed portion 155 of the drum 150, the drum 150 is now freely rotatable, thereby to facilitate unwinding of the wound strap reach 66 therefrom and removal of the strap end 65 from the slot 152. The tool 100 can now be readily removed from beneath the reach 62 of the strap 60 and from the package 60, whereby the tool 100 is now free for use in tensioning a strap about the next package.

From the above description it will be appreciated that the construction of the tool 100 is simple and inexpensive, whereby manufacture and maintenance of the tool is rendered easy and economical. A minimum of parts are provided, the parts being of simple and strong construction. Yet the tool 100 performs its intended function in an easy and straightforward manner.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifica tions may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, extensions integral with the upper portions of said bearing walls extending therefrom in one direction with respect to said base plate and being joined to provide a hand grip, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a generally cylindrical gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, a release lever mounted eccentrically with respect to said gripping dog and connected thereto for pivotal movement of said gripping dog between a strap gripping position and a strap release position, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation toward and away from said hand grip, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted away from said hand grip in a direction to tighten an associated strap, and a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted toward said hand grip, whereby a strap having one end disposed between said base plate and said gripping dog can be wrapped around a package and the free end inserted in the slot in said drum and oscillation of said operating handle with respect to said base and said hand grip serves to tighten the strap by. winding the free end thereof about the strap engaging portion of said drum.

2. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation with respect to said base plate, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said pawl when said operating handle is pivoted with respect to said base plate in a direction to tighten an associated strap, a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted in a direction opposite to the strap-tightening direction thereof, a release lever for said drive pawl integral therewith and extending along the top of said operating handle substantially parallel thereto and spaced a short distance therefrom for actuation by the hand ofa user operating said operating handle, and an abutment on said base plate in position to engage said release lever when said operating handle is moved to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction thus automatically to release said drum from contact with said drive pawl.

3. The strap tension tool set forth in claim 2, wherein said drive pawl is disposed between the bearing flanges of said operating handle and said release lever extends through an opening in said operating handle.

4. The strap tension tool set forth in claim 2, wherein said abutment is a flange integral with one of said bearing walls.

5. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation with respect to said base plate, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said pawl when said operating handle is pivoted with respect to said base plate in a direction to tighten an associated strap, a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted in a direction opposite to the strap-tightening direction thereof, a release bar mounted on said operating handle and engageable with said holding pawl when said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a straptightening direction to release said drum from contact with said holding pawl, a release lever for said drive pawl integral therewith and extending along the top of said operating handle substantially parallel thereto and spaced a short distance therefrom for simultaneous actuation by the hand of a user operating said operating handle, and an abutment on said base plate in position to engage said release lever when said operating handle is moved to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction to release said drum from contact with said drive pawl, whereby movement of said operating handle to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction causes said release bar to engage said holding pawl and causes said release lever to engage said abutment thus to release said drum from contact with said holding pawl and said drive pawl to permit free retrograde rotation of said drum to facilitate removal of strap wound thereon.

6. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other,

extensions integral with the upper portions of said bearing walls extending therefrom in one direction with respect to said base plate and being joined to provide a hand grip,

a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate,

a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package,

an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation toward and away from said hand grip,

a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted away from said hand grip in a direction to tighten an associated strap,

a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted toward said hand P a knife pivotally mounted on said bearing walls and having a cutting edge overlying a strap extending along said base plate and movable between a straptightening position and a strap-cutting position, and means biasing said knife to the strap-tightening position thereof and an actuating flange on said knife engageable with said operating handle as said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction thus automatically to move said knife to the strap-cutting position thereof to cut the strap on said base plate.

7. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially paral lel to each other, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation with respect to said base plate, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said pawl when said operating handle is pivoted with respect to said base plate in a direction to tighten an associated strap, a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted in a direction opposite to the strap-tightening direction thereof, a knife pivotally mounted on said bearing walls and having a cutting edge overlying a strap extending along said base plate and movable between a strap-tightening position and a strap-cutting position, means biasing said knife to the strap-tightening position thereof and an actuating flange on said knife engageable with said operating handle as said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction, a release bar mounted on said operating handle and engageable with said holding pawl when said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction to release said drum from contact with said holding pawl, a release lever for said drive pawl integral therewith and extending along the top of said operating handle substantially parallel thereto and spaced a short distance therefrom for simultaneous actuation by the hand of a user operating handle, and an abutment on said base plate in position to engage said release lever when said operating handle is moved to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction to release said drum from contact with said drive pawl, whereby movement thereon.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N 3.858.625 lannar;z l, l915 Inventor(s) George Milan Banjeglav It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Attorney, Agent or Firm "Prangley, Dithman, Vogel, Sandler & Stotland" should read --Prangley, Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler 6: Stotland--;

Column 6, line 49, after "that" insert "other";

Column 7, line 19, "60" should be --so and Column 11, line 7, after "ating" insert -said operating-- J. I Signed and sealeo this 1st say of npril l 7./.

RUTH 8. 231303? Commissioner of Patents attestin Officer a ra F ORM PO-105O (10 69) USCOMM-DC 6O376-P69 u. s. covnuunrr nmmuc omc: In, 0-in-8, 

1. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, extensions integral with the upper pOrtions of said bearing walls extending therefrom in one direction with respect to said base plate and being joined to provide a hand grip, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a generally cylindrical gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, a release lever mounted eccentrically with respect to said gripping dog and connected thereto for pivotal movement of said gripping dog between a strap gripping position and a strap release position, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation toward and away from said hand grip, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted away from said hand grip in a direction to tighten an associated strap, and a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted toward said hand grip, whereby a strap having one end disposed between said base plate and said gripping dog can be wrapped around a package and the free end inserted in the slot in said drum and oscillation of said operating handle with respect to said base and said hand grip serves to tighten the strap by winding the free end thereof about the strap engaging portion of said drum.
 2. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation with respect to said base plate, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said pawl when said operating handle is pivoted with respect to said base plate in a direction to tighten an associated strap, a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted in a direction opposite to the strap-tightening direction thereof, a release lever for said drive pawl integral therewith and extending along the top of said operating handle substantially parallel thereto and spaced a short distance therefrom for actuation by the hand of a user operating said operating handle, and an abutment on said base plate in position to engage said release lever when said operating handle is moved to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction thus automatically to release said drum from contact with said drive pawl.
 3. The strap tension tool set forth in claim 2, wherein said drive pawl is disposed between the bearing flanges of said operating handle and said release lever extends through an opening in said operating handle.
 4. The strap tension tool set forth in claim 2, wherein said abutment is a flange integral with one of said bearing walls.
 5. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation with respect to said base plate, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said pawl when said operating handle is pivoted with respect to said base plate in a direction to tighten an associated strap, a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted in a direction opposite to the strap-tightening direction thereof, a release bar mounted on said operating handle and engageable with said holding pawl when said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction to release said drum from contact with said holding pawl, a release lever for said drive pawl integral therewith and extending along the top of said operating handle substantially parallel thereto and spaced a short distance therefrom for simultaneous actuation by the hand of a user operating said operating handle, and an abutment on said base plate in position to engage said release lever when said operating handle is moved to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction to release said drum from contact with said drive pawl, whereby movement of said operating handle to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction causes said release bar to engage said holding pawl and causes said release lever to engage said abutment thus to release said drum from contact with said holding pawl and said drive pawl to permit free retrograde rotation of said drum to facilitate removal of strap wound thereon.
 6. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, extensions integral with the upper portions of said bearing walls extending therefrom in one direction with respect to said base plate and being joined to provide a hand grip, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one beaRing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation toward and away from said hand grip, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted away from said hand grip in a direction to tighten an associated strap, a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted toward said hand grip, a knife pivotally mounted on said bearing walls and having a cutting edge overlying a strap extending along said base plate and movable between a strap-tightening position and a strap-cutting position, and means biasing said knife to the strap-tightening position thereof and an actuating flange on said knife engageable with said operating handle as said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction thus automatically to move said knife to the strap-cutting position thereof to cut the strap on said base plate.
 7. A strap tension tool for tightening a plastic strap around a package comprising a frame including a base plate adapted to be rested upon an associated package and two spaced-apart bearing walls integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to each other, a generally cylindrical drum journalled in openings in said bearing walls and having a toothed portion disposed between said bearing walls and a strap engaging portion having a strap receiving slot therein and extending outwardly from one of said bearing walls and overlying a portion of said base plate, a gripping dog pivotally mounted on said one bearing wall and overlying said base plate adjacent to the strap engaging portion of said drum for holding one end of a strap against said base plate during tightening of the strap about an associated package, an operating handle having bearing flanges integral therewith provided with openings therethrough receiving said drum rotatably to mount said operating handle for reciprocation with respect to said base plate, a drive pawl pivotally mounted on said operating handle and having a nose continually urged into driving contact with the toothed portion of said pawl when said operating handle is pivoted with respect to said base plate in a direction to tighten an associated strap, a holding pawl pivotally mounted between said bearing walls and having a nose continually urged into engagement with the toothed portion of said drum to prevent retrograde motion of said drum when said operating handle is pivoted in a direction opposite to the strap-tightening direction thereof, a knife pivotally mounted on said bearing walls and having a cutting edge overlying a strap extending along said base plate and movable between a straptightening position and a strap-cutting position, means biasing said knife to the strap-tightening position thereof and an actuating flange on said knife engageable with said operating handle as said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction, a release bar mounted on said operating handle and engageable with said holding pawl when said operating handle is moved toward the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction to release said drum from contact with said holding pawl, a release lever for said drive pawl integral therewith and extending along the top of said operating handle substantially parallel thereto and spaced a short distance therefrom for simultaneous aCtuation by the hand of a user operating handle, and an abutment on said base plate in position to engage said release lever when said operating handle is moved to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction to release said drum from contact with said drive pawl, whereby movement of said operating handle to the position nearest said base plate in a strap-tightening direction causes said release bar to engage said holding pawl to move it out of contact with said drum and thereafter to engage said actuating flange to move said knife to the strap-cutting position thereof and thereafter to bring said release lever into contact with said abutment, thus automatically to cut the strap and to free said drum for retrograde rotation to facilitate removal of strap wound thereon. 